Now, A Jazz Moment...

MUSIC: "Freedom Now Suite", CD: We Insist: Freedom Now Suite , Candid CCD 79002

In 1960 drummer Max Roach wrote a piece of music inspired by the civil rights movement. It featured NEA Jazz Master Abbey Lincoln on vocals.

MUSIC: "Freedom Now Suite", CD: We Insist: Freedom Now Suite , Candid CCD 79002

Abbey Lincoln: I'm glad I had the chance to do the Freedom Now Suite. It was a great exercise for a singer and actress.

Three of the suite's movements are: Prayer, Protest, and Peace. Lincoln didn't have any trouble with the prayer.. .

But I had a hard time with protest because I had never screamed before in my life. I never heard my mother scream or any of my sisters scream. I finally learned to scream and not hurt my voice.

MUSIC: "Freedom Now Suite", CD: We Insist: Freedom Now Suite , Candid CCD 79002

An excerpt from the Freedom Now Suite. This Jazz Moment with vocalist Abbey Lincoln was created by the National Endowment for the Arts.